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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday participated in the closing ceremony of the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. At the Summit, PM Modi called for greater scientific validation, global trust, and institutional support for traditional medicine, saying the sector stands at a “crucial juncture” as the world looks for sustainable and holistic healthcare solutions.
Highlighting the widespread reliance on traditional medicine globally, the Prime Minister underlined the need to strengthen its credibility through science. He said, “Today, traditional medicine stands at a crucial juncture. A large portion of the world’s population has long relied on it. But despite this, traditional medicine has not received the recognition it deserves. Therefore, we need to win trust in this direction…The collective efforts in the WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine have shown that the world is ready to take steps forward in this direction…”
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Over the past three days, experts from around the world associated with the field of traditional medicine have held serious and meaningful discussions
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Yoga: A global movement for health and harmony
At the Summit, PM Modi recalled the global acceptance of yoga. The Prime Minister expressed gratitude for the support of more than 175 countries. He said, “Thanks to the efforts of India and the support of more than 175 countries, the United Nations declared June 21st as International Yoga Day. I commend every individual who has made a significant contribution to the promotion and development of yoga…”
He highlighted that traditional medicine systems also include yoga, which has emerged as a universal symbol of health and balance. “Traditional medicine systems also include yoga. Yoga has shown the whole world the path to health, balance, and harmony,” he said.
WHO Global Centre in Jamnagar a matter of pride for India
Calling it a global responsibility entrusted to India, Modi highlighted the growing influence of the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar.
PM Modi said, “It is our good fortune and a matter of pride for India that the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine has been established in Jamnagar, India. At the first Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in 2022, the world entrusted us with this responsibility with great confidence. It is a matter of happiness for all of us that the stature and influence of this global centre are expanding worldwide. The success of this summit is the biggest example of that.”
AI era makes ‘balance’ a global urgency
The Prime Minister warned that rapid technological changes would intensify pressures on human life and well-being, making traditional wisdom more relevant.
“The challenge of maintaining life balance is set to become even greater. In the coming years, the most significant changes in human history will arrive in the form of AI and robotics, fundamentally transforming the way we live. Therefore, we must pay attention to the sudden pressures on life skills, especially when resources and facilities are limited, as these challenges continue to grow for humanity…,” said PM Modi.
He stressed, “Balance, that is, equilibrium, has been regarded as synonymous with health in Ayurveda
Restoring balance is not just a global cause but a global urgency; we have to take steps to address this.”
Highlights from the 2nd WHO Global Summit
At the event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Director General of the World Health Organisation, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus virtually inaugurated the redeveloped WHO-South East Asian Regional Office Complex in New Delhi, marking a significant step in strengthening regional health cooperation in Southeast Asia. “This is a humble gift from India — a global hub from where research, regulation and capacity building will be promoted,” Modi said, underlining India’s commitment to global health partnerships.
PM Modi released technical report on training in Yoga at the WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine. A book, ‘From Roots to Global Reach: 11 Years of Transformation in Ayush’ was also released at the Summit.
The event witnessed launch of several landmark Ayush initiatives, including My Ayush Integrated Services Portal (MAISP), a master digital portal for the Ayush sector and unveils the Ayush Mark.
PM Modi felicitated recipients of the Prime Minister’s Awards for Outstanding Contribution to the Promotion and Development of Yoga (2021–2025), recognising their sustained efforts in taking yoga to the global stage.
The summit concluded with a strong message from India that traditional medicine, backed by science, digital innovation and trusted regulation, can play a decisive role in the future of global healthcare.
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